TENDER OF CONTRACT FOR STEAM POSTAL COMMUNICATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 406, 24 September 1856, Page 4

TENDER OF CONTRACT FOR STEAM POSTAL COMMUNICATION.

Sydney, 11th July, ISSG. I On behalf of the Directors of the " Australian General Investment Association" of London, and as their lawfulty constituted and authorised attorneys, we make the following offer of contracts for the conveyance of mails to and from Europe:— 1. The Company will contract, under the usual guarantee, to carry all the mails between Sydney and Singapore, via Torres Straits, either way once a month, by steamers of not less than 400 tons measurement, and not less than 100 horsepower, and to perform, the passages within 22 days; the days of departure from Singapore to be so fixed as to bring on the mails leaving London the beginning of every month, and the days of [departure from Sydney so fixed as to allow an interval of 5 or 6 days between the arrival and next departure from Sydney. Besides the mails, the company will engage to provide a cabin passage for a mail master, or, at the" option of the Government, require the captains to take the usual Post Office oaths or declaration, and to perform such services as the Postmaster-General of this colony shall require of them, in respect of delivering and receiving the mails; and the company will further engage, so soon as the Government may have established a station at Port Albany, to call there and deliver mails and passengers. It shall be optional with the Company whether to call at Java or not. The Company will also engage to carry naval and military officers and men, and packages containing astronomical instruments, wearing apparel, medicines, &c, &c, in the proportions and on the terms usually inserted in contracts made by the Lords of the Admiralty. 2. This service, to which the Company will devote three boats, of the most improved construction, and of which one will always be in reserve in Sydney, the company will undertake for a subsidy of £36,000 per annum, payable in Sydney monthly, within 14 days after the expiration of the previous month. 3. The company will engage to despatch.^ within six months after receipt of a definitelvg* concluded contract in London, or after a ratification of the same if required by the Home Government, the first steamboat, with a mail direct to Sydney, and to despatch in the two succeeding months the other two boats, which, aft«r arrival in Sydney, will at once successively be despatched for Singapore, and to open a permanent line. Should this Government think it necessary, before finally concluding any contract, to obtain the concurrence and ratification of the Home Government, we are authorised and willing to conclude such contract irrevocably on behalf of the company, but subject on the pai't of the Government to be ratified or rejected after being received by her Majesty's Secretary for the Colonies; such ratification or rejection to be signified to the Directors of the company within one month after the arrival of the despatch and the contract in London. Beit & Sons. g* Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 2nd August, 1856. Gentlemen.—l am directed to acknowledge the receipt of letter of the l Uh

ultimo, containing a proposal for re-estab-lishing a monthly mail communication between this colony and England via Singapore, and to inform you in reply, that as the entire question relating to the establishment of steam communication with Great Britain is.now in the hands of the Home Government, no steps can be taken with respect to it in the colony. A copy of your communication will, however, be at once forwarded for the consideration of the Imperial Government, and in the meantime a copy of jt will be laid before the local Parliament. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your most obedient servant, W. Elyard. Messrs. Beit & Sons.